Skip to Main Content

Events for April 7, 2023

First Friday is celebrated on the first Friday of each month at locations throughout Downtown Raleigh. Art galleries and studios are open late with rotating exhibits and artist talks. Exhibitors feature artists, music, and special offers. Retailers and restaurants can offer discounts and specials. There's something and somewhere for everyone. First Friday is free and open to all.

**New** Create your own First Friday itinerary by selecting the hearts for events and experiences you don't want to miss. Receive a custom map and itinerary to guide your First Friday evening in Downtown Raleigh! 

311 Gallery
311 W Martin St - Warehouse District
Reception: All Abstract
6pm - 9pm

Join us tonight from 6-9pm for the April reception of All Abstract, a nationally juried exhibition showcasing over 100 contemporary abstract artworks from talented artists across the United States.

This reception is free and open to the public to attend.

Curate Raleigh
15 W Hargett St - Fayetteville Street District
First Friday Raleigh @ Curate Downtown
6pm - 9pm

Curate is open late for First Friday Raleigh on April 7th! Join us from 6-9p for complimentary drinks and shop from over 60 local NC artists + makers!

Designed For Joy
517 W Cabarrus St - Warehouse District
Designed For Joy First Friday in the Studio
5pm - 7pm

Shop and enjoy a tour of Raleigh nonprofit, Designed For Joy in the Warehouse District.

Designed For Joy's brand of leather handbags, jewelry and home decor (including charcuterie boards) provides women in crisis with stability through immediate employment and support, removing the stigma of vulnerability. To date, over 100 women have been hired with $300,000 in living wages earned.

Moore Square
200 S Blount St - Moore Square District
First Friday Market, Food Trucks & Movie Night (Free)
5pm - 9pm

Join us every month for First Friday Markets and Movie Night at Moore Square with food trucks, live entertainment, local market, free games and a free outdoor movie night.

Event Info:

Featuring: Food Trucks, Local Market, Live Music, Games for Families, Free Movie.

Market: 5:00-9:00 pm
Live Music: 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Free Movie: “The Lego Movie (2014)", starts ~ 7:30 pm (presented by the City of Raleigh!)
So come on down and bring a blanket or a chair and relax on the lawn for the movie, stroll through the market, grab a snack and experience the best of Raleigh.

Note: The lawn fills up quickly for the movie. If you plan on staying for the movie, please arrive early to secure a preferred spot on the lawn.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on event info and news: @popupcarolinas

Whiskey Kitchen
201 W Martin St - Fayetteville Street District
Sip N' Stroll Public Art Tour - Raleigh Walking Tours
5:30pm - 6:45pm

Tricia Sobol of RaleighWalkingTours.com has been giving public art walking tours for over six years. This tour will be routed along the sip and stroll district in celebration of April First Friday! 

Tour will start at Whiskey Kitchen, and will head east on Martin St. for several blocks. From Martin, we will turn south onto Wilmington St. for one block. Then we will head west on Davie St. for a couple of blocks. Finally, we will go south on McDowell St. for about one block. We will end at Poole'side Pies, where there are 2 murals on the side of the building.The ending point will be exactly 2 blocks away from the starting point, and people will be able walk straight up McDowell St. to get back to Whiskey Kitchen.

The tour will last approximately 75 minutes from 5:30pm-6:45pm on Friday, April 7th.

Donations suggested, first come first serve